Erich Berg’s Post

**Embarking on a Journey from Aerospace to Wine Criticism with Jeb Dunnuck** In the latest episode of *Beats Vines & Life*, I had the pleasure of hosting Jeb Dunnuck, a name synonymous with wine excellence. Jeb's journey from aerospace engineer to renowned wine critic provides enlightening insights for anyone aspiring to pivot their career while pursuing their true passion. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: - **Adaptability and Resilience**: Jeb's diverse career experiences, from working at Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace to leading his own wine publication, highlight the importance of being adaptable. His transition into wine criticism showcases the resilience needed to follow one's passion and succeed in new fields. - **Dedication to Craft**: Becoming a wine critic is not just about having a refined palate; it requires rigorous training, countless hours of tasting, and a dedication to deep learning. Jeb’s story underscores the commitment required to attain professional excellence and respect in any industry. - **Staying Authentic and Open-minded**: Despite the niche market and the controversies surrounding natural wine marketing, Jeb remains grounded in providing honest, comprehensive reviews. His openness to diverse wine styles emphasizes the subjective nature of enjoyment and the importance of authenticity in professional critique. Tune into *Beats Vines & Life* for more on Jeb’s incredible story and insights into the worlds of aerospace and wine. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or considering a career change, there's something to inspire everyone. #CareerTransformation #WineCriticism #ProfessionalGrowth #PodcastInsights #BeatsVinesandLife https://lnkd.in/efZSfiU5 #RhoneWines #WineLovers #WineEnthusiasts #WineTasting #WineCulture #WineVarieties #WineExploration #RhoneValley #WineDiscoveries #WinePassion

As we are all about to take off for the long weekend, consider celebrating all things local. Here are some ideas: 1. Go to a local farmers market to get your food. Local produce and meats are so much better than what you get at the store 2. Go to a local winery to grab the best bottle(s) of VQA wine to pair with the food you just purchased. Did you know that the food we grow locally tends to pair well with the local wine that is grown and made near by? www.winecountryontario.ca #100milediet 3. Seek out local arts and culture. In Niagara we have so many options, like the Shaw Festival 4. Go to a local restaurant or coffee shop. These small businesses are using the local ingredients mentioned above and carrying local wines and craft beers etc. One of my fav's is the Garrison House in Niagara on the Lake.... but trust me there are thousands of options. 5. Look for a local festival or event. This weekend is Canal days in Port Colborne. Rotary Rib Fest in St. Catharines is also a lot of fun if you need your fill of smoked meat. Live music is usually at all of these events. 6. Most of all Support Local. We are a world class region/country with so many local offerings. Lastly, do all of this responsibly. Be safe and have a great weekend!

𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 5 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑬𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑯𝑻𝑿    🍷      On our girls trip to Houston we decided to make it a black owned weekend since it was Black History Month! We couldn’t support black owned businesses in HTX without heading over to @watersedgewinerytx ! This was our second time there and it was an absolute blast.           𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 5 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑬𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑯𝑻𝑿  ⬇️      🥂1. Less than 1% of the 11,500 wineries in America are black owned and guess what? THIS ONE IS! Can you say black 𝙀𝙓𝘾𝙀𝙇𝙇𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀?          🥂2. Not only does @watersedgewinerytx offer a fun and interactive wine tasting experience but they also have events like comedy shows, Wine Bingo, DJs, local bands and more!          🥂3. You’ll find much more than wine at Waters Edge they have a tasty menu selection + charcuterie board options for all of my cheese lovers!          🥂4. Can’t get enough of the wine? Don’t worry @watersedgewinerytx has bottles you can purchase online can be shipped directly to you!          🥂5. Love the location? Well you can host private events at the winery to celebration your special occasions!          𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞? 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫? 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬!          #blackowned #houston #winetasting #houstontx #blacktravel   #blackwinery

Myth: Private cellars are only for storing wine. Truth: While storage is a key function of a private cellar, it offers so much more than just a place to keep your bottles. It's a space to showcase your collection, host tastings with friends, and immerse yourself in the world of wine! So what is holding you back? 🙃

This is how getting certified by the Tucson City of Gastronomy can impact your business.

When planning your trip to California wine country, you’ll first need to decide where you land in the battle of Sonoma vs. Napa. My own answer changes depending on the day. I’ve been to Sonoma more often, but that’s because it’s easier on the wallet. If you don’t mind a splurge, Napa Valley makes for a fantastic wine trip. The “rivalry” isn’t all that dramatic, by the way. The two regions intersect, and they’re probably friends. You will need to do your research no matter what, though, especially if you’re looking to do wine country on a budget. Planning leads to cost savings no matter where you go. Below, I’ve provided you with some questions to ask yourself when choosing which wine region to hit on your upcoming California trip. It may turn out that you’ll just have to visit both, and that’s the strategy I tend to take. https://lnkd.in/d3-r8xpt

This video is an homage to a great wine and a great film. The wine is Alta Orsa Winery's Hillside Cuvée, which was rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast in late 2023. Can you tell which classic film we are paying homage to? (Hint: we expect this to be easier for those of our friends who are experts in either film or finance.) You may already agree with a core Sommsation conviction: for people “in the know,” there is not a direct correlation between the price of a bottle of wine and the quality of that bottle of wine. Not counting two wines listed online as “$NA,” the average price of wines that Wine Enthusiast rated 95 in the issue was $86. At a barely conceivable $34 per bottle, the Hillside Cuvée is the lowest-priced of all of the 95-rated wines (and at less than 50% of the average price).  IYKYK, indeed! https://bit.ly/4a27pWY And for our marketing gurus, client’s interests were measurably piqued to 6x the average with this homage. When we filmed, we knew this content would grab and hold your attention. And we were right. We have our own hypotheses as to why this content is resonating with people. We’d love to hear your thoughts. #winelover #winenews #wineeducation #movie #sommsation #iykyk

Learn more about Arizona Wine! Then book a tour really learn about Arizona Wine!

How Much Do You Really Know About Cabernet Sauvignon? How Much Do You Know About Cabernet Sauvignon? This test is designed for sommeliers and wine enthusiasts, with interesting notes and insights about this beloved grape variety. Discover its secrets and test your understanding. Are you prepared to see how your knowledge stacks up? Let's find out! https://lnkd.in/dHkEssx8

Good point Alison! With so many wineries and brands in total ‘survival mode’, I think it’s real easy to start chasing alternative routes to a P&L. Your point about the restaurants is potentially a great key, especially if wineries had greater access to collaboration with local restaurants. With 170,000+ new brand registrations in the last year, 80,000+ of them imported product, staying in business seems to be overshadowing the focus of being a great hospitality brand. I believe in creating experiential winery events highlighting the miraculous details of wine as the key to great hospitality eventing. A little food ‘to go with it’ is an accent or enhancement to the focus, not a focus of the brand.🛟🍷 #directtoconsumer #dtc #winemakersforum #wine #winery